After more than 25 years of experimentation with the vibrational touch and metaphysics of sound, new instruments are in constant development and are now available in a first series. If you are an educator or sound healer, and agent of change, these prototypes of musical instruments as 'vibrational tools' await your interest, participation and co-creation.

See below a detailed description of some of the novel New Waves Instruments. For an ultimate integration of these single sound sources into the holistic concept
of "total immersion in sound" see our Sound Healing Space

NEW WAVES - SERIES ONE

This series is pioneering 'Moving/Touching Sound' where Just Intonation (pure) tunings are enhanced through swinging and rotating motion.

SWINGING CHIMES

Incorporating ancient sound practices and innovative design, this instrument is one of SVARAM's innovations based on harmonic, Just Intonation tunings.
Set on the physical C, or the pitch of 256 Hz, our Swinging Chimes offer an opportunity to tune in and align with the creative principle of the sonic field.
Through an immediate exposure to the purity of natural tonal relations, many layers of the being can be touched by the simple appeal of harmony.
To bring out their special resonance, the Swinging Chimes have to be moved while playing: they can be swung gently, rotated, traversed, looped, swayed around and over the body thus creating an immediate 'touching' experience of the magic of sound, its intricate layered nature and harmonizing effect. - LINK TO CLIP)

Playing

1 The Swinging Chimes are held in the hand with the rope/s and are intoned with a mallet and initially are swung in a pendulum movement on the side or in front of the body. Periodically a tone can be played to create the moving resonance.2 Tonal patterns can be played first and then be brought into a swinging state3 With enough space around, the Chimes can be rotated overhead. This works very well outdoors or in large rooms and is enchanting to friends lying and relaxing on the floor (eg. in yoganidra practices)4 With more practice, the Chimes can be swung in the Infinity Symbol (lying figure 8) in front of the body or in a clock- and anti-clockwise double helix all around. These figure movements can evoke a state of deep identification with primal movement patterns in the micro-and macrocosmic nature.5 Played and held in 2 hands like a swinging cradle the chimes can be passed over a person lying down, swinging them into a sound cradle6 Once the player/s are used to the basic playing and swinging, a whole dance of sounding movements can be explored. This can evolve into a similar magic gamut like the play with POI of the Maoris (and its many modern varieties) - with the touching addition of sound and resonance

'Harmonic': 9 pure tones representing the overtones 8-16 of the natural harmonic series (this is a small version of the 'Sound Ray”- please refer to its detailed description)

The Swinging Chmes come in 5 Model scales relating to the 5 Elements, earth, water, fire, air and ether, and are available in one octave (6 tubes) or one a half (9 tubes). (Detailed description at link: www.svaram.org/SoundHealing.aspx )

On special order we also make the „Harmonic Ray“ (overtone 8-16) in this size and model.

SOUND WINGS (Rotating Chimes)

Sound Wings spread their wondrous effect through their cosmological, mathematically based tunings in combination with the rotating movement of vortex energies.Depending on the archetype and the principle of tuning, which represent diverse cultural approaches and emphases, the Rotating Chimes can bring very specific 'world-views' and perceptions into direct audible and sensory experience uplifting the listener into realms of progressive harmonies of integration.

• The Harmonic Ray - natural, primal music,• The Diatonic Circle - the Greek ideal• The Spiral of Pure Fifths - the Chinese cosmology,• The Song-Lines of Ragas - the Indian path

Playing

1 The Sound Wings have to be simply hung/anchored from a point above.

2 The tonal material - single tones, interval combination, phrases, patterns and melodies - can be explored with specific added mallets. Each of the 4 models holds a rather different tuning system as described, and can be explored in the spirit of contemplative play: opening-playing-listening-visualizing-reflecting-integrating

3 The special effect of the Sound Wings is added through a rotating movement. This can be easily archived through a spinning impetus given by the lower rope sleeve. Through the ensuing twisting of the top rope the rotating motion winds and unwinds in both directions while the striking of selected tones can continue.
Through the exact proportionate tuning of the frequencies a veritable vortex of sonic energies unfolds, spreading harmonic waves into your being and place.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-n74MVfRWk0

'Sound Ray' - Involution

This instrument represents an exact section of the natural harmonic series (all intervals from the 8th to the 16th overtone) and can be utilized as a proper scale (or "measuring rod") to explore the nature of sound and its relationship to the symbolism of numbers, harmonics and proportions. Through contemplative playing one is touched by the 'alchemy of sound' and arrives at a harmonization and integration of the being.

Contemplation

“From one existence, consciousness stirs and vibrates forth its creative, manifold rays of light and sound”

The tones of this instrument, as a holographic section of this ray, express the quality and proportions of the numbers 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16. They can be approached through pure sounds and their relation and interplay as well as through a play with the signatures of the numbers. Through meditative play a synthesis between the different realms of sensational, emotive and mental perception can be achieved resulting in an experience of sonic identification and oneness.

As a few examples: 16 is double the frequency of 8, the proportion 2/1- the interval of the octave; 12/ 8 or 3/2- the pure fifth; 8/10 equals 4/5- the proportion of the mayor third; 12/16 equals 3/4 the pure fourth. 14 as the double of 7 creates with the fundamental the natural seventh, which brings the characteristic, bend 'blues minor seventh'. The prime numbers 11 and 13 have not been used in conventional music practice (except possibly in Arabian and some folk music) and they create completely new qualities of intervals, tonal relationships.Once familiarized with the basic expressions of the tones and numbers, intuition can guide the creative process of deepening the experiential knowledge of more complex vibrations, their constitution, expression and effect.

'Sound Circle' - Balance

This more common, basic diatonic tuning is the classic and balanced progression within the wholeness of an octave. The archetypal 7 steps of the scale stand symbolically for the planes of consciousness; they represent our energy centers in the dynamic flow and process of the polarity between heaven and earth. The Sound Circle radiates a veritable "rainbow of sound", rich in differentiation, centered in one source.

Contemplation

“A child of heaven and earth, the human being finds its center and circumference through the play of polarities.”

The single tones of this veritable matrix of balance and symmetry are a combination of the ascending 'major' forward movement and the descending gentle introspective 'minor' scale and was taken as the classic ideal of an inwardly centered and dynamically active human. Each step of the scale reveals its own character and can be explored in the context and with the help of the image of a perfect vertical alignment of the energy centers of the subtle body. Through this a powerful resonance and transference of vibrations can invigorate our organism and strengthen its coherence and integration.

'Sound Spiral' - Evolution

This harmonizing instrument combines an ancient tuning with rotating movement to bring a unique sound-atmosphere in your environment. Based on a series of pure fifths - the universal "Pythagorean" tuning - it evokes the dynamics of expanding spirals, ever widening in the ascending scale, or descending, inward moving, centering spirals.

Contemplation

“Out of the One reflects the Two. From the union of these the Three is born. Out of the Three all things in the world are created”

The Sound Spiral is the perfect reflection of the constantly unfolding process of creation. Each tone relates to all the others in a beautifully simple and harmonizing way. There are no tensions, only constant resolutions, support, strengthening, encouraging.... The whole array vibrates enthusiasm. This Sound Wing is taking flight, uplifting, always expanding or descending, settling into deep calm.

'Sound Path' - Pathways

These selected tunings are based on the ancient system of Indian Ragas. They express certain moods, atmospheres, time-cycles or specific states of being. The resulting resonance affects the inner and outer environment with a sense of deeper perception of the soul's journey through life.

The original pathway ('Sound Path - “Awakening”) is a representation of the awakening moment as exemplified in the morning Raga of Bhairav (which was carried on gypsy and mystic trails from India all the way to Spain). Its uneven steps and characteristic patterns echo the dynamic and yet reflective path of self-discovery.

Additional Sound Paths available through special order are other modal forms of the basic natural scale, symbolically tracing and echoing our journey between heaven and earth. These moods and 'colorings', based on Indian Raga scales, reflect differentiated states of personal relatedness to our surroundings and the world; they express a sevenfold gradation from intense longing to peaceful rest and fulfillment.

SOUND STAIRS

These extra large horizontal chimes are rare and powerful sound sources for outdoor or large indoor spaces, and have been commissioned for meditation or wellness centers, fulfilling the function of harmonizing bells.
The oversize and mass of material guarantee an extraordinary 'touching' sound when rotated on its hanging axis and cannot fail to inspire awe and wonder.

'Earth Song'

This pentatonic tuning is found in many indigenous cultures all over the globe and represents as an ascending major scale the primal configuration of harmony. It invites balance and joy.

'Waters of Life'

These steps follow the descending minor scale being used in the characteristically serene appeal in Tibetan and Native American tradition. It inspires the flow of inspiration and the poise of contemplation.